Knife River Corporation announced that it has been awarded a $112 million materials and paving contract for the State Highway 6 improvement project in the Bryan/College Station area of Texas. The project, locally known as “Big 6,” will widen a 12‑mile stretch of the highway from four lanes to six and add new interchanges, auxiliary lanes, and shared paths for bicycles and pedestrians.
The contract makes Knife River a subcontractor to Fluor Corporation, the prime contractor on the $671 million Texas Department of Transportation project. Fluor’s groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 20, 2025, and construction is slated to begin on December 1, 2025. The project is funded by TxDOT and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, underscoring its public‑sector backing and long‑term financing stability.
Knife River will supply approximately 928,000 tons of hot‑mix asphalt, along with sand, MSE backfill and base course as needed. The company’s upgraded asphalt plant and rail‑access to high‑quality aggregates give it a cost advantage that is expected to translate into higher‑margin paving work compared with lower‑margin commodity contracts. The contract represents roughly 3.7 % of Knife River’s annual revenue, a sizable addition that will help sustain year‑round employment for its Texas aggregates, asphalt and paving teams.
Management highlighted the strategic fit of the project. Rodney McCarn, President of Knife River’s Texas operations, said the company’s “upgraded asphalt plant and internal access to high‑quality aggregates by rail” position it uniquely to deliver the project efficiently. CEO Brian Gray noted that the award “fits our mission of supporting the infrastructure buildout in our mid‑size, high‑growth markets” and will “keep our talented teams in Texas working year‑round.” The contract also adds to Knife River’s record $994.6 million backlog, reinforcing its momentum in the infrastructure sector.
The Bryan/College Station corridor is a high‑growth market anchored by Texas A&M University and Brazos County. The State Highway 6 improvement will enhance mobility, safety and hurricane evacuation routes, and the project’s public‑sector funding through the IIJA provides a stable revenue stream. Knife River’s focus on publicly funded projects in growth markets is expected to drive continued demand for its services and support the company’s broader strategy of scaling its vertically integrated supply chain.
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